The surging Yankees look to keep hold of the top spot in the AL East when they host the Twins in the last of a three-game set.
Following a losing streak that dropped them out of first place in the division, the Yankees won four of five to reclaim the top spot over Toronto.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Yankees responded nicely after relinquishing first place in the AL East following a five-game losing streak. Monday’s 8-7 win in the series opener was New York’s fourth in five games that included a pair of wins in Toronto over the weekend to reclaim first place for now. The Yanks were up 4.21 units in that stretch and try to improve on their 33-21 record at Yankee Stadium. New York has won eight of the last 10 starts made by Nathan Eovaldi and have backed him with 63 runs in those games, nearly two runs more per game than their season average. The Yankees have won three of four over the Twins in the season series following Monday’s win. New York took two of three in Minnesota when the teams played there last month with the Yankees putting up a seven spot in a game started by Eovaldi.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Ervin Santana (2-3, 5.66 ERA) has surrendered five or more runs in four of his eight starts since returning from an 80-game suspension. He pitched poorly again in his last outing surrendering five runs on eight hits over six innings against the Rangers on Thursday. He’s 0-3 with a 9.90 ERA in his last four starts and hasn’t fooled anyone giving up 32 hits and 11 walks in those games.
Santana hasn’t had much success at Yankee Stadium going 0-3 with a 9.72 ERA in three starts, but he hasn’t pitched there since July 11, 2013.
Nathan Eovaldi (12-2, 4.26 ERA) has enjoyed terrific run support this season, and that continued in his last start, an 8-6 Yankees win at Cleveland. He lasted just 5.1 innings giving up seven hits and four runs but once again the offense bailed him out. He’s won his last seven decisions and is a consistent presence in the middle of the Yankees rotation.
Eovaldi pitched a season high eight innings at Minnesota on July 26 permitting two runs and eight hits in a 7-2 win. It was the first time he’d faced the Twins in his career.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“For me right now it’s more or less, ‘what can I do to help this team win?’ I’m not even worried about numbers anymore. We’re still in the chase, so when it comes down to it, it’s just playing well and playing good defense. Anything I can do to help this team win, that’s what I try to do.” – Yankees infielder Stephen Drew, who has 15 home runs despite batting .192
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
It’s been a rough go post All-Star break for Twins closer Glenn Perkins, who suffered his second loss in 10 games after the Midsummer Classic in Monday’s series opener. Perkins has been touched for eight runs and 16 hits over 9.2 innings in those 10 games since the break with three saves in five chances. His ERA since the break is 7.45 and opponents are batting .364 against him. It’s quite a reversal from the first half of the season when Perkins converted all 28 save chances and allowed just five earned runs in 37.1 frames for 1.21 ERA. “He’s still a guy who I think is the best guy that we have as far as getting the last out. I haven’ lost confidence in him,” manager Paul Molitor said.
PROP TALK
Ervin Santana could be the slump-buster Alex Rodriguez has been waiting for. A-Rod has been horrible since the All-Star break hitting just .216 in 102 at-bats, though he does have six home runs. The sight of Santana on the hill could be inspiring. Rodriguez has 12 hits in 36 career at-bats off the Twins right-hander with four home runs and 11 RBIs. A-Rod is mired in a 3 for 37 slide over nine games following his hitless night Monday.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
When Nathan Eovaldi takes the mound the Yankees bats come alive. New York scored 62 runs in his 10 starts at Yankee Stadium and average 5.78 runs in games he starts this season. Eovaldi has done his part as well as the team’s most consistent pitcher this season. The Yankees have a history of pounding Ervin Santana and the Twins starter hasn’t had much success on the bump in his last few outings. The Yanks may be without Mark Teixeira but they still have enough to hang another loss on the Twins.
New York 7, Minnesota 4
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Minnesota Twins versus the New York Yankees will commence Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at 1:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
